Finger grip-contoured molded scissors

ABSTRACT

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided scissors of the type in which the shank of the blade element terminates at its handle-end portion thereof short of defining any rings, and has mounted on each shank stub end a fully selfsupporting ring structure, the improvements being the spaciousness of each of the rings provided by substantially lineally non-curved passage ring side walls together with the shank-end portion of the oval elongated ring having the passage thereof extending on a major slant and defining a curved indexfinger recess adjacent the upper and lower surfaces of the oval ring with each recess being slanted toward the handle-mounting shank portion of the blade element at the respective upper and lower surfaces, together with the thumb ring being shaped such as to define narrowing slot for the thumb on a major slant at the lower mouth-forming side adjacent the respective handle-mounting shank portion of the blade element thereof at the end of the thumb-ring passage nearest the respective handle-mounting shank portion of the blade element thereof, with the terminal portion of the blade back side edge opposite from the cutting forward edge being shaped to define a broad body blade portion between the blade back side edge and the cutting forward edge and to define an exagerated roundness extending from the back side edge to the cutting forward edge of the blade element on which the elongated oval ring is mounted as a plastic unitary selfsupporting ring, the thumb-mounting ring also being plastic and unitary and self-supporting, the respective rings being mold mounted onto blunt stub ends of the shanks of the respective blade elements of the scissors. By the combination of the above noted features, there is provided improved control and improved hand-gripping possibilities of each of the respective rings, during the cutting operation utilizing the scissors. This is possible by virtue of the improved seat-defining rings&#39;&#39;s walls and more spacious rings resulting from lineally extending passage-defining side ring walls, together with the broad blade end of rounded shape of the scissors blade element carrying the oval-shaped ring, and also the better gripping of the fingers within the oval ring being effected by opposing elongated convex and concave inner ring side surfaces, with the convex surface being the inner surface of the ring&#39;&#39;s side closest to the thumbring of the other blade element.

United States Patent [1 1 Laurenti [451 Mar. 11, 1975 FINGERGRIP-CONTOURED MOLDED SCISSORS [22] Filed: Jan. 28, 1974 [21] App]. No.:436,856

[52] U.S. Cl. 30/254 [51] Int. Cl B26b 13/06, B26b 13/12 [58] Field ofSearch 30/254, 255, 256, 257, 30/259, 341; 76/104 R, 104 A [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,092 2/1839 Heinisch 30/341342,380 5/1886 Orahood 30/257 2,590,024 3/1952 Lieberman 76/104 A2,776,482 1/1957 Hafekost 76/104 A X 2,965,967 12/1960 Wahl 30/341 R7044/1859 Heinisch 30/341 X Primary Examiner-Al Lawrence Smith AssistantExaminer-J. C. Peters [57] ABSTRACT In a preferred embodiment of theinvention, there is provided scissors of the type in which the shank ofthe blade element terminates at its handle-end portion thereof short ofdefining any rings, and has mounted on each shank stub end a fullyself-supporting ring structure, the improvements being the spaciousnessof each of the rings provided by substantially lineally non-curvedpassage ring side walls together with the shank-end portion of the ovalelongated ring having the passage thereof extending on a major slant anddefining a curved index-finger recess adjacent the upper and lowersurfaces of the oval ring with each recess being slanted toward thehandle-mounting shank portion of the blade element at the respectiveupper and lower surfaces, together with the thumb ring being shaped suchas to define narrowing slot for the thumb ona major slant at the lowermouthforming side adjacent the respective handle-mounting shank portionof the blade element thereof at the end of the thumb-ring passagenearest the respective handle-mounting shank portion of the bladeelement thereof, with the terminal portion of the blade back side edgeopposite from the cutting forward edge being shaped to define a broadbody blade portion between the blade back side edge and the cuttingforward edge and to define an exagerated roundness extending from theback side edge to the cutting forward edge of the blade element on whichthe elongated oval ring is mounted as a plastic unitary self-supportingring, the thumb-mounting ring also being plastic and unitary andself-supporting, the respective rings being mold mounted onto blunt stubends of the shanks of the respective blade elements of the scissors. Bythe combination of the above noted features, there is provided improvedcontrol and improved hand-gripping possibilities of each of therespective rings, during the cutting operation utilizing the scissors.This is possible by virtue of the improved seatdefining ringss walls andmore spacious rings resulting from lineally extending passage-definingside ring walls, together with the broad blade end of rounded shape ofthe scissors blade element carrying the oval-shaped ring, and also thebetter gripping of the fingers within the oval ring being effected byopposing elongated convex and concave inner ring side surfaces, with theconvex surface being. the inner surface of the rings side closest to thethumb-ring of the other blade element.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 FINGER GRIP-CONTOURED MOLDED SCISSORS Thisinvention is directed to an improved type of scissor particularly of thetype having self-supporting unitary ring structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Prior to the present invention, there haveexisted scissors of the general type to which the present invention isdirected, in so far as superficial appearance similarities areconcerned, there being a scissors of which each of the respective ringhandles are each totally of plastic mold-mounted on stub-shank ends ofthe respective scissor blade elements, as well as the thumb ring passagefor the thumb being formed by a thickened thumb ring defining long thumbring passage inner wall with the thumb ring passage being angularlyslanted from the upper rearward mouth thereof to a forwardly locatedopening on the thumb rings lower face adjacent the blade elementsstubbed shank portion onto which the integral self-supporting allplastic ring handle is mounted. However, at this point the analogy tothe present invention ends, in view of the fact that the grip ping ofscissors of the above-noted type is less than satisfactory from thestandpoint of ease of insertion of and the maneuvering of and thegripping by the digital finger (i.e., fingers other than the thumb), andin the control of the lever-action cutting blade by the thumb, and inthe awareness of the position of the scissors blades relative to thematerial being cut during a cutting operation, are less thansatisfactory with scissors of these general type before the presentinvention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, objects of the present inventioninclude the overcoming of one or more of the above-noted difficulties,together with other advantages.

Another object is to obtain a high quality scissors obtainable byutilization of low cost materials and process of manufacture, therebymaking available to the consuming public quality goods at competitiveand reasonably economical prices to the consuming public.

Other objects become apparent from the preceding and followingdisclosure.

One or more objects of the present invention are obtained by theinvention as defined herein.

Broadly the invention may be defined as an improvement to the generaltype of scissors referred to in the above Background Of The Invention,the improvement including each of the rings preferably, but at least theoval shaped ring havingits inner surfaces of the elongated walls formingthe ring passage or channel extending substantially lineally in thedirection of the passage such that there is no space-occupying roundedfullness intermediate of the length of the ring passage which wouldcramp or obstructuct insertion and/or movement of the fingers within thering passage, the lineally extending wall making possible greaterspaceousness for a given outer ring diameter, while concurrently theoblong passages inner walls are curved to fit the natural grippingcurvature of inserted gripping fingers (other than the thumb) with theoblong wall nearest the thumb ring handle having an inner oblong wallsurface of convex shape while the inner wall surface most distant fromthe thumb ring has a concave shape in the oblong direction of the oblongring handle, together with contoured upper and lower mouths to theoblong ring passage and the lower mouth to the thumb ring passageadjacent the mounting scissors blades respective terminal shank stubends being inclined and rounded toward the shank portions nearer therespective lower and/or upper ring surfaces such that there is providedseats for the index tingers forward face in various finger grippingpositions for various cutting positions by the oval or eliptical-shapedring and for the end of the thumb in the forward lower surface of thethumb ring as the forward side of the thumb presses thereagainst in acutting-operation of the thumb lever action. Also, as a part of thecontrol is effected an improved awareness of the blades positions byvirtue of a broadened blade tip of the blade on which shank thereof ismounted the oblong ring handle, together with that blade tip having anend thereof with exaggerated roundness, i.e., an arc of roundness ofsmall radius together with the broad blade, with the are extending fromthe back edge of the blade to the cutting edge. Such a blade endimproves the ability of the person cutting to feel the relative positionof the material being cut relative to the scissors blades thereselves.In the thumb ring structure, the lower surface ring mouth adjacent theblades mounting shank portion is inclined and shaped as a seat in thenature of a narrowing slot becoming narrower closer to the lower surfaceinto which the mouth opens, thus providing a snug and fitting seat forthe thumb end inserted from the upper ring mouth through the thumb ringpassage and extending and projecting from the lower surface mouth.Consistent with the ab0ve-noted advantageous contoured and shapedscissor ring blades and the improved blade end in combination, the ringsare most easily obtained at low cost of production and materials bypreferably casting as unitary plastic self-supporting handles asheretofore available in the prior art, but now in combination with theabovenoted improvements are a novel combination therewith thereby makingavailable the benefits of the present invention at economical costs tothe consuming public.

THE FIGURES FIG. 1 illustrates in elevation plan view a preferredembodiment of the present invention, disclosing the flat side of thescissors from which the thumb would be inserted, and accordingly thedisclosed flat face(s) being properly referred to herein as the upperface and surface of the scissors.

FIG.'2 is a side view in elevation plan view of the scissors embodimentof FIG. 1 as viewed from the thumbmounting ring side thereof.

FIG. 3 illustrates in elevation plan view the opposite remaining flatside as compared to the view of FIG I, of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates in elevation plan view a rear end view of thescissors, in particular better disclosing the angular relationship ofthe thumb ring relative to the oblong ring, but more importantly furtherillustrating the lineally extending inner ring walls substantiallydevoid of curvature. v

FIG. 5 illustrates an in-part view as taken in crosssection along lines5-5 of FIG. 1, illustrating the molded plastic mounting of the ringhandle of the thumb ring on the blade element shank portion terminalstub end thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIGS. 1 through 5 disclose apreferred embodiment of the present invention, disclosing scissorscombination 6, including oblong plastic ring 7 and circular thumb ring8, with the oblong ring-mounting shank portion 9 of blade element 20having the oblong ring 7 mounted thereon, and the thumb ring-mountingshank portion 10 having thumb ring 8 mounted thereon, disclosing theupper flat face of the blade element 20 in elevation plan view in FIG. 1in which the full extent of the broad width of the blade terminalportion 22 is illustrated together with the exaggerated curve-shapededge extending from the back-blade side edge 24 to the cutting-edge 25of the blade element 20. The blade elements 20 and 21 are bradedtogether at their pivot portions 12 and 11 respectively by the bradhaving head 13b and shaft 13a mounted in the conventional manner of theart. The oblong ring 7 defines passage 18 by ring structure havingconcave passage inner wall 17a extending in a concave arc longitudinallyof the oblong or-eliptical ring and concurrently the wall 17a extendingin substantially a straight line in the direction of the passage 18between the upper and lower opposited mouth surfaces of the ring 7. Theopposite inner face surface 17b extends in a convex curve longitudinallyrelative to the oblong-shaped ring 7, while extending in a substantiallystraight line between the upper and lower mouth surfaces for the passage18. In like manner, the ring 8 has lineally extending walls in thedirection of the passage 19 such as the walls 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d inthe extension of the passage between upper and lower mouth surfaces ofthe ring 8. As viewable in FIGS. 1 and 3, the oblong ring 7 has inclinedcurved mouth lip portions at b and 15a respectively adjacent the bladeelement 20 shank portion 9, and similarly there is defined a narrowingslot-seat 14d in the forward side of the lower ring mouth lip of ring 8at the forward side adjacent the blade element 21 shank portion 10. FIG.5 illustrates in an in part view in cross-section the ring 8mold-mounted onto the terminal shank stub end 10a. In FIGS. 1, 3, and 4,the flange 16a which abuts the ring 7 is disclosed, together with thecontrast of the sharply ending lineallyextending wall 14c sharply endingat 16b.

By the combination of these unique features as noted above, the grip ofthe hand of the person grasping the scissors during a cutting andmaneuvering operation is v significantly enhanced as compared to priorscissors, while having the benefit of the low cost of materials of theplastic handles 7 and 8 devoid of reinforcing metal rings, while havingthe unbent shanks as disclosed.

Modifications and substitution of equivalents within ordinary skill arewithin the scope of the present invention.

I claim:

1. A scissors device comprising in combination: substantially fiat-facedfirst and second blade elements and pivot means for pivotably mountingtogether the first and second blade elements operatively, each bladeele-- ment having each of upper and lower faces extending in respectiveflat planes in both longitudinal and transverse directions, ranging froma blade tip throughout bladeand shank portions to and including ahandlemountable terminal shank portion, one of the handlemountableterminal shank portions of the first and sec- 0nd blade elementsextending angularly laterally relative to its respective blade pbrtionslongitudinal axis and relative to the remaining shank portion of theother of the first and second blade elements, each of the blade portionsof the first and second blade elements including a cutting edge and anopposite backing edge, and a blade-tip back edge of said remaining oneof the first and second blade elements defining a broad blade side facebetween the blade back edge and the cutting edge, and the blade backedge further defining a round terminal edge extending to the cuttingedge thereof; a substantially circular thumb-ring-defining handlemounted on said one angularly laterally-extending terminal shank portionof said ones blade element, the thumb-ring-defining handle being mountedat a point spaced-away from said remaining other shank portion andincluding handle structure defining a passage extending angularly from,a lower forwardly direction to a top upper rearwardly direction throughits lower and upper surfaces relative to said ones shank portion whichextend in said flat plane from forwardly to rearwardly into the handleforwardly of the passage, and the thumb-ring-defining handle includingsubstantially thin walls extending substantially lineally in thedirection of the passage and defining a flange extending laterally froman outer ring side surface in a direction such that the flange isabuttable of a side of the ringhandle of the remaining ones of the firstand second blade elements, the thumb-ring-defining handle lowermouth-forming portion adjacent the mounted terminal shank portionthereof being rounded and angularly inclined and defining a slotnarrowing toward the blade element shank portions thereof providing anelongated converging seat for a digital end of a persons thumb insertedfrom a rearward upper direction of the thumb ring-defining handle; andthe remaining ones of the first and secondblade elements having mountedon its handle-mountable terminal shank portion an elongatedfingers-mounting ring structure mounted ofthe remaining blade elementand being mounted at a point spaced-away from said one angularlyextending terminal shank portion and defining a through-channel betweenits upper and lower surfaces with the throughchannel having across-section of substantially elliptical shape with onelongitudinally-extending side wall relative to the ellipticalfingers-mounting ring being substantially concave on an inner ring sideaway from the thumb-ring-defining handle with an oppositelongitudinally-extending side walls relative to theellipticalfingers-mounting being substantially convex on an inner ringside adjacent the thumb-ring-defining handle, upper and lower formingportions of' the throughchannel defining fingers-mounting ring structureadjacent the mounted terminal shank portion thereof being rounded andinclined angularly toward the mounted terminal shank portions thereofsuch that each of upper and lower mouth-forming portions define a seatreceivable of a forward side edge of an index finger.

2. A scissors device of claim 1, in which the thumbring-defining handlesstructure and the elongated fingers-mounting ring structure each isunitary and selfsupporting.

3. A scissors device of claim 2, in which each unitary andself-supporting structure comprises substantially self-supporting moldedplastic composition.

1. A scissors device comprising in combination: substantially flat-facedfirst and second blade elements and pivot means for pivotably mountingtogether the first and second blade elements operatively, each baldeelement having each of upper and lower faces extending in respectiveflat planes in both longitudinal and transverse directions, ranging froma blade tip throughout blade and shank portions to and including ahandle-mountable terminal shank portion, one of the handle-mountableterminal shank portions of the first and second blade elements extendingangularly laterally relative to its respective blade portion''slongitudinal axis and relative to the remaining shank portion of theother of the first and second blade elements, each of the blade portionsof the first and second blade elements including a cutting edge and anopposite backing edge, and a blade-tip back edge of said remaining oneof the first and second blade elements defining a broad blade side facebetween the blade back edge and the cutting edge, and the blade backedge further defining a round terminal edge extending to the cuttingedge thereof; a substantially circular thumb-ring-defining handlemounted on said one angularly laterally-extending terminal shank portionof said one''s blade element, the thumb-ring-defining handle beingmounted at a point spaced-away from said remaining other shank portionand including handle structure defining a passage extending angularlyfrom a lower forwardly direction to a top upper rearwardly directionthrough its lower and upper surfaces relative to said one''s shankportion which extend in said flat plane from forwardly to rearwardlyinto the handle forwardly of the passage, and the thumb-ring-defininghandle including substantially thin walls extending substantiallylineally in the direction of the passage and defining a flange extendinglaterally from an outer ring side surface in a direction such that theflange is abuttable of a side of the ring-handle of the remaining one''sof the first and second blade elements, the thumb-ring-defining handlelower mouth-forming portion adjacent the mounted terminal shank portionthereof being rounded and angularly inclined and defining a slotnarrowing toward the blade element shank portions thereof providing anelongated converging seat for a digital end of a person''s thumbinserted from a rearward upper direction of the thumb-ring-defininghandle; and the remaining one''s of the first and second blade elementshaving mounted on its handle-mountable terminal shank portion anelongated fingers-mounting ring structure mounted of the remaining bladeelement and being mounted at a point spaced-away from said one angularlyextending terminal shank portion and defining a through-channel betweenits upper and lower surfaces with the through-channel having across-section of substantially elliptical shape with onelongitudinally-extending side wall relative to the ellipticalfingers-mounting ring being substantially concave on an inner ring sideaway from the thumb-ring-defining handle with an oppositelongitudinally-extending side walls relative to the ellipticalfingers-mounting being substantially convex on an inner ring sideadjacent the thumb-ring-defining handle, upper and lower formingportions of the through-channel defining fingers-mounting ring structureadjacent the mounted terminal shank portion thereof being rounded andinclined angularly toward the mounted terminal shank portions thereofsuch that Each of upper and lower mouth-forming portions define a seatreceivable of a forward side edge of an index finger.
 1. A scissorsdevice comprising in combination: substantially flat-faced first andsecond blade elements and pivot means for pivotably mounting togetherthe first and second blade elements operatively, each balde elementhaving each of upper and lower faces extending in respective flat planesin both longitudinal and transverse directions, ranging from a blade tipthroughout blade and shank portions to and including a handle-mountableterminal shank portion, one of the handle-mountable terminal shankportions of the first and second blade elements extending angularlylaterally relative to its respective blade portion''s longitudinal axisand relative to the remaining shank portion of the other of the firstand second blade elements, each of the blade portions of the first andsecond blade elements including a cutting edge and an opposite backingedge, and a blade-tip back edge of said remaining one of the first andsecond blade elements defining a broad blade side face between the bladeback edge and the cutting edge, and the blade back edge further defininga round terminal edge extending to the cutting edge thereof; asubstantially circular thumb-ring-defining handle mounted on said oneangularly laterally-extending terminal shank portion of said one''sblade element, the thumb-ring-defining handle being mounted at a pointspaced-away from said remaining other shank portion and including handlestructure defining a passage extending angularly from a lower forwardlydirection to a top upper rearwardly direction through its lower andupper surfaces relative to said one''s shank portion which extend insaid flat plane from forwardly to rearwardly into the handle forwardlyof the passage, and the thumb-ring-defining handle includingsubstantially thin walls extending substantially lineally in thedirection of the passage and defining a flange extending laterally froman outer ring side surface in a direction such that the flange isabuttable of a side of the ring-handle of the remaining one''s of thefirst and second blade elements, the thumb-ring-defining handle lowermouth-forming portion adjacent the mounted terminal shank portionthereof being rounded and angularly inclined and defining a slotnarrowing toward the blade element shank portions thereof providing anelongated converging seat for a digital end of a person''s thumbinserted from a rearward upper direction of the thumb-ring-defininghandle; and the remaining one''s of the first and second blade elementshaving mounted on its handle-mountable terminal shank portion anelongated fingers-mounting ring structure mounted of the remaining bladeelement and being mounted at a point spaced-away from said one angularlyextending terminal shank portion and defining a through-channel betweenits upper and lower surfaces with the through-channel having across-section of substantially elliptical shape with onelongitudinally-extending side wall relative to the ellipticalfingers-mounting ring being substantially concave on an inner ring sideaway from the thumbring-defining handle with an oppositelongitudinally-extending side walls relative to the ellipticalfingers-mounting being substantially convex on an inner ring sideadjacent the thumbring-defining handle, upper and lower forming portionsof the through-channel defining fingers-mounting ring structure adjacentthe mounted terminal shank portion thereof being rounded and inclinedangularly toward the mounted terminal shank portions thereof such thatEach of upper and lower mouth-forming portions define a seat receivableof a forward side edge of an index finger.
 2. A scissors device of claim1, in which the thumb-ring-defining handle''s structure and theelongated fingers-mounting ring structure each is unitary andself-supporting.